Franklin College receives “inadequate” Ofsted grade

Franklin College has been judged as “inadequate” by Ofsted under new pilot inspection guidelines.

The sixth form college in Grimsby, which received a grade 2 in 2008, has been criticised for “not driving improvements with urgency”.

An inspection report published by Ofsted yesterday says the leadership and management of the college requires improvement, and that strategic priorities need to be communicated more effectively to staff.

The inspection also found that the success rates for students on AS level courses is “consistently and significantly” below the national average.

“Since the last inspection there has been no trend of improvement in poor success rates in AS level and on intermediate courses,” the report reads.

Under the new framework Ofsted say too many courses at the college have poor retention rates, although it admits that in the current year “retention rates have improved.”

The report says “too much teaching remains satisfactory” at Franklin College, and also criticises “inconsistencies” in the assessment of students’ work.

“Pace and challenge are not sufficient to enhance learning and promote better and ambitious outcomes,” the report reads.

“While there is good and better teaching practice, mechanisms to disseminate this and enhance the skills of all teachers are underdeveloped.”

It later says teachers at the college are not providing enough “stimulating work” for students to complete outside of class.

However, the inspection report also praises the college for improving the range of courses which they offer.

“The college has begun to diversify its curriculum and has improved how students are placed on appropriate programmes,” the report reads.

“The number of vocational qualifications is beginning to increase (and) the drive to improve collaborations with local schools and the local general further education college is helping to shape the new curriculum to the benefit of students.”